Seoul Ballet Theater to perform with Ballett Basel

Poster for “MOVES” / Courtesy of SBT

By Kwon Ji-youn

The Seoul Ballet Theater (SBT) and the Swiss-based Ballett Basel will stage a joint performance at the National Theater of Korea on Oct. 1-2.

The SBT said Monday that it has been working with the Ballett Basel on “MOVES,” a series of creative ballets in line with its cultural exchange project. The project celebrates the company’s 20th anniversary.

The underlying theme of this year’s “MOVES” is “East Meets West.” The ballet is comprised of three acts ― “Snip Shot,” “Voice in the wind” and “Under the Moonlight.”

Richard Wherlock, director and head choreographer of the Ballett Basel, and SBT Artistic Director James Jeon created the ballet with six members of each others’ ballet company. The production will feature classic and contemporary dance moves.

“Because I enjoy giving ballet a natural twist, working with the SBT dancers was an exciting experience, as even the slightest of their moves was enough to inspire me,” Wherlock said.

Jeon added: “Coupling the Ballett Basel’s sophistication with Korean elements was an experience I won’t forget. The strengths of the two companies working together will create a fine synergy.”

The companies have worked together since 2012, when a master class exchange project took place between the two choreographers. “MOVES” will also be staged in Switzerland at the Basel Theater in 2016.

Ballett Basel is a leading contemporary dance group in Europe with an outstanding command of narrative and abstract ballet. For more information call (02) 2280-4114.